Archive for December, 2012

The past several days have been very active with several storm systems impacting the area. I was up in NJ and PA visiting family for the holidays. The Dec 26th storm which brought heavy rainfall to Hampton Roads also brought a windswept rain to NJ, where I was. It started with some snow but quickly changed to rain up there where I was, but the northwestern part of NJ received some significant snowfall. I was in the Wilkes-barre area of PA for the Dec 29th storm and there was about 5 inches of snow in that area. It was really nice opening gifts at my sister’s house with snow falling. This storm didn’t have the strong onshore winds like the Dec 26th storm had so coastal flooding wasn’t an issue with this storm. The Dec 26th storm did cause some coastal flooding to parts of NJ, which is the last thing those areas needed as they are still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. There were some strong winds following the Dec 29th storm as it intensified off the New England Coast. We saw a lot of blowing snow as we headed home through Eastern PA on Sunday…. What about the week ahead? New Years Eve should be nice and weather shouldn’t interfere with travel or any festivities that you have planned today. On Tuesday, New Year’s Day, a weak system may bring some showers to the Hampton Roads area. Rain chances will be higher the further south you are. This system will not be as wet as the ones over the past week. We should clear out on Wednesday, but temperatures should be on the chilly side for most of the upcoming week.

After a very nice Christmas Day, Wednesday looks like a wet day here in Hampton Roads. A low pressure system will be moving northeastward bringing with it a good chance of rain and maybe even a few thunderstorms later on Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to be quite mild on Wednesday. Colder air will follow this system and we will dry out. Meanwhile, the models are indicating that another system may impact the East Coast over the weekend but there is a lot of uncertainty with that system. Since temperatures will be colder and the weekend storm track (if a storm develops at all) is expected to be further south and east, precipitation type may be an issue for areas to our north and west.

A weak frontal system should bring a few showers and possibly a period of rain to Hampton Roads on Christmas Eve. The best chances of rainfall will be to our north and west. Temperatures will be seasonal both today and Christmas Day. We should be dry on Christmas Day with mostly sunny skies. Meanwhile, a much more potent storm system will be taking shape to our south and west. This system will most likely bring rain here beginning on Wednesday. There’s even a chance of thunder and lightning as some heavier rainfall is possible later on Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to be well above normal on Wednesday. Behind that system, temperatures are going to be much colder. Windy conditions are expected on Thursday.

After a blustery day on Saturday, there will be less wind on Sunday with plenty of sunshine. Temperatures will be seasonal rising to the low to mid 50’s. A weak system should bring more cloudiness on Monday and there may be a shower or two in spots. Christmas Day looks to be a dry and sunny day with slightly milder temperatures. A more significant low pressure system will affect us on Wednesday. While it will mostly bring rain to our part of the country, snow, sleet and even freezing rain are possible well to our north and west. So, if you are traveling on Wednesday, make sure you check the forecast for the region that you are traveling to and points in between. Much colder air will follow that system.

The pressure gradient between a low pressure system north of New York State and a high pressure area along the Gulf Coast will cause windy conditions on Saturday. Temperatures will be on the chilly side only peaking out in the mid to upper 40’s. The further north you are, the stronger the winds will be today. The Eastern Shore will have stronger gusts than areas of NE NC. The winds should diminish tonight and Sunday looks like a nice day with seasonal temperatures. On Monday, we should see more clouds as a weak system approaches the area. There may be some rain or showers Monday night, but right now, the forecast for Christmas Day looks nice. I will have an update on next week’s weather in my Sunday morning post. A more significant storm may affect our area on Wednesday but temperatures will probably be on the mild side so frozen precipitation is not likely from that system. Temperatures should be colder later next week.